Table-leg fastening.



PATENTED OCT. 18, 1904.

J. J. GRUENDER.

TABLE-LEG FASTENING. APPLIGATION FILED MAY 14, 1904.

NO MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented October 18, 1904.

PATENT ()FFICE.

JOSEPH J. GRUENDER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

TABLE-LEG FASTENING.

SPEGIFIGA 'IION forming part of Letters Patent No. 772,462, dated October 18, 1904:.

Application film. May 14;, 1904.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH J. GRUENDER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of St. Louis, Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Table-Leg Fastenings, of which the following is a specification containing a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to table-leg fastenings for knockdown tables; and it consists in the novel construction hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved fastener for the legs of knockdown tables and which shall be very simple and effective without the usual necessity for screwed fastenings, or, in other words, fastening devices which secure the leg in position by means of screws which must be withdrawn in order to detach the leg.

The usual way of setting up knockdown tables is by inserting one or more screws into the cross pieces fastened to the legs, and

thereby securing said cross-pieces to the under side of the table-top. With my improved table-leg fastening I do away with all of such Work, and an unskilled workman can set up a table without the use of any tools, and this can be done ina few seconds and gives the shipper the advantage of a more secure, better, and cheaper method of crating knockdown tables. It also obviates damage in transportation.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of aportion of a table and exhibiting the under side thereof and having a leg secured in position by means of my improved fastening. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view, the section being taken longitudinally of'the dovetail bar which is carried by the upper end of the leg. Fig. 3 is a similar View looking at the end of the dovetail bar and its guides. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the upper end of a table-leg having the dovetail bar applied thereto.

1 indicates the table-top, and 2 the table-leg.

' Fixed upon the upper end of the table-leg 2 is a dovetail bar 3, which tapers from end to end 5 and is beveled on its opposite edges at about Serial No. 207,935; (No model.)

forty-five degrees, and the beveled edges extend inwardly from the outer surface of the said bar. The outer face of the said bar 3 is provided with two transverse parallel grooves 4:, in which are located short bars of iron 5, and screws 6 pass through said bars of iron and through the interposed bar 3 into the leg 2 and securely fasten said parts to the tableleg. The iron bars 5 also act as reinforcements for the said dovetail bar 3 and prevent the same from springing or warping later ally when strain is thrown upon its beveled edges during use. It will be observed that said iron bars 5 or the screws 6 do not project above the surface'of the said dovetail bar, so that the outer surface of said dovetail bar is practically smooth and may come in close contact with the under surface of the tabletop. It will thus be seen that the said iron bars 5 are countersunk in the outer face of the said dovetail bar 3 and that the said screws 6 have their heads countersunk in the outer face of the saidiron bars, thereby permitting the construction and function described in the immediately-preceding paragraph; butthe principal function of the said iron bars lies in preventing the heads of said screws from being pulled through the soft wood of the said dovetail bar. In other words, the said iron bars act as metal washers for the said screw-heads, as well as performing the function of reinforcements for the said dovetail bar. The said dovetail bar has a length considerably in excess of the diameter of the said table-leg 2, and the ends of said bar project a distance beyond the periphery of said leg, and such construction permits the said dovetail bar to act as an effective brace for the said leg when placed in the position which it occupies when the table is set up, and it is clear that were said projecting ends omitted special braces would be necessary in order to stiffen the table-leg.

Fixed upon the under surface of the tabletop 1 at the point where the legs are to be fastened are two-pieces of wood 7 8, which are beveled on one side to correspond to the beveled edges of the said dovetail bar 3, and said pieces 7 and '8' form guides for. the said bar and are fixed in position by means of glue and screws 9, the latter being driven through said guides into the table-top. Said guides are secured in position at an angle with relation to each other corresponding to the taper of the dovetail bar 3.

The operation is as follows: When it is desired to secure the leg in position, the dovetail bar 3 is driven between the two guides 7 8 and secured by means of acommon nail 10, driven into the under side of the table-top at the Wider end of said dovetail bar, and when thus located the leg will be securely retained in position. The top will be relieved from any strain upwardly caused by the said dovetail bar 3, as the said bar will be drawn tightly against the beveled edges of the said guides 7 8, and the latter will be clamped rigidly between the beveled edges of the said bar and the end of the leg.

My improved table-leg fastening, in addition to the advantages recited near the beginning of this specification, permits furniture dealers to deliver tables in a knockdown condition by the aid of but one man, who may carry them to any upper story of a house and set them up, as the table can be taken up any kind of stairs and through very narrow doors. The tables can also be taken apart in a few seconds by removing the nail 10 and driving out the dovetail bar 3, which latter operation can be performed Without the aid of any tools. The fastening is stronger and makes a table more rigid than any other device known to me.

What I claim isl. The improved table-leg fastening, comprising the combination with the upper end of a table-leg, of a dovetail bar secured thereto, with the ends projecting beyond the periphery of said leg to brace the same, there being a groove in the face of said bar, anietal bar 5 loeated in said groove, a table-top, two guides having beveled edges and extending at an angle with relation to each other and fixed upon the under side of the table-top, at a suitable distance apart to receive said dovetail bar, and screws passing through said metal bar and through said dovetail bar into the table-leg, substantially as described.

2. The improved table-leg fastening, comprising the combination with the upper end of a table-leg, of a dovetail bar secured thereto with its ends projecting beyond the periphery of said leg to brace the same, there being parallel grooves in the face of said bar, metal bars 5 located in said grooves and extending transversely of said bar, a table-top, two guides having beveled edges and extending at an angle with relation to each other and lixed upon the under side of the table-top at a suitable dis tance apart to receive said dovetail bar, and screws passing through said metal bars and through said dovetail bar into the table-leg, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH J. GRUENDEH \Vitnesses:

F. G. CnIsLnR, JOHN C. HIenoN. 

